1}}Donetsk was founded in 1869 as a workers' settlement Yuzovka around the metallurgical factory of the Welshman John Hughes. The settlement was established in lands of Yevdokim Shydlovsky, who received them upon destruction of the Zaporizhian Sich in 1775.{{note|2}}The population of the metropolitan area is from 2004.|p2 = Voroshylov Raion

Cool-summer humid continental climate >Dfb}}Donetsk ({{IPAc-en|UK|d|É|Ë|n|j|É|t|s|k}} {{respell|don|YETSK}},OXFORDÂ DICTIONARIES, Donetsk, 5 September 2019, {{IPAc-en|US|d|É|Ë|n|(|j|)|É|t|s|k}} {{respell|dÉ|N(Y)ETSK}};AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY, Donetsk, 5 September 2019, MERRIAM-WEBSTER, Donetsk, 5 September 2019, {{IPA-uk|doËnÉtsÊ²k||uk-ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÑÐº.ogg}}; {{IPA-ru|dÉËnÊ²Étsk|}}), formerly known as Aleksandrovka, Hughesovka, Yuzovka and Stalino (see also: (Names of European cities in different languages: C-D#D|cities' alternative names)), is an industrial city in Eastern Ukraine and the capital city of the unrecognized Donetsk People's Republic, located on the Kalmius River. The population was estimated at {{Ua-pop-est2016|929,063}} in the city core, with over 2,000,000 in the metropolitan area (2011). According to the 2001 Ukrainian Census, Donetsk was the fifth-largest city in Ukraine.WEB, Results / General results of the census / Number of cities, Ukrainian Census (2001), 2001 Ukrainian Census,weblink 28 August 2006, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20060109012020weblink">weblink 9 January 2006, Administratively, Donetsk has been the centre of Donetsk Oblast, while historically, it is the unofficial capital and largest city of the larger economic and cultural Donets Basin (Donbass) region. Donetsk is adjacent to another major city, Makiivka, and along with other surrounding cities forms a major urban sprawl and conurbation in the region. Donetsk has been a major economic, industrial and scientific centre of Ukraine with a high concentration of heavy industries and a skilled workforce. The density of heavy industries (predominantly steel production, chemical industry, and coal mining) determined the city's challenging ecological situation. In 2012 a UN report ranked Donetsk among the world's fastest depopulating cities.The 28 Fastest-Shrinking Cities In The WorldThe original settlement in the south of the European part of the Russian Empire was first mentioned as Aleksandrovka in 1779, during the reign of the Empress Catherine the Great. In 1869 the Welsh businessman John Hughes founded a steel plant and several coal mines in the region; the town was named Yuzovka (Ð®Ð·Ð¾Ð²ÐºÐ°) in recognition of his role ("Yuz" being a Russian-language approximation of Hughes). During Soviet times, the city's steel industry expanded. In 1924 Yuzovka was renamed Stalino, and in 1932 the city became the centre of the Donetsk region. Renamed Donetsk in 1961, the city today remains a centre for coal mining and for the steel industry.Since April 2014 Donetsk and its surrounding areas have been one of the major sites of fighting in the ongoing Donbass War, as pro-Russian separatist forces battle against Ukrainian military forces for control of the city and surrounding areas. Throughout the war, the city of Donetsk has been administered by the pro-Russian separatist forces as the center of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), with outlying territories of the Donetsk region divided between the two sides.NEWS, Weaver, Matthew, Luhn, Alec, 13 February 2015, Ukraine ceasefire deal agreed at Minsk talks, The Guardian,weblink 16 December 2016, Donetsk International Airport became the epicenter of the war with almost a year-long battle leading to massive casualties among civilians and a total ruination of the northeastern neighborhoods of the city.{{As of|2019|September}} the DPR has full control of the city, with Ukrainian and DPR forces still engaging in combat outside of the city.

History

Foundation

(File:Ð¨ÐºÐ¾Ð»Ð° Ð´ÐµÑÐµÐ¹ Ð°Ð½Ð³Ð»Ð¸Ð¹ÑÐºÐ¾Ð¹ Ð°Ð´Ð¼Ð¸Ð½Ð¸ÑÑÑÐ°ÑÐ¸Ð¸ Ð®ÐÐ 004.jpg|thumb|left|A building which used to be an English-speaking school for the British in Yuzovka)(File:1887. ÐÐ¾Ð²ÑÐ¹ ÑÐ²ÐµÑ. ÐÐ°Ð·Ð°Ñ.jpg|thumb|left|A market on the main street of Novyi Svet section of Yuzovka. (1887))The city was founded in 1869 when the Welsh businessman John Hughes built a steel plant and several coal mines at Aleksandrovka, in the south of the European part of Russia. It was initially named Hughesovka ().Yuz is a Russian or Ukrainian approximation of Hughes In its early period, it received immigrants from Wales, especially from the town of Merthyr Tydfil.WEB, Evans, Martin, June 11, 2012, Euro 2012: Donetsk's roots have more in common with Merthyr Tydfil than Moscow, Telegraph,weblink 2014-08-09, By the beginning of the 20th century, Yuzovka had approximately 50,000 inhabitants,The population included mostly migrants from neighbouring Russian territories and attained the status of a city in 1917.WEB, 31 August 2004, dmy, ru:ÐÐ· Ð¸ÑÑÐ¾ÑÐ¸Ð¸ Ð³Ð¾ÑÐ¾Ð´Ð°, Russian, From the history of the city, Official site of the Head of Donetsk City,weblink 7 May 2007, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070127190501weblink">weblink 27 January 2007, The main district of "Hughezovka" is named English Colony, and the British origin of the city is reflected in its layout and architecture.

Soviet Union

File:ÐÐµÐ½Ñ ÐÐ¾Ð±ÐµÐ´Ñ Ð² ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐµ, 2010 036.JPG|thumb|left|A Monument for the Liberators of Donbass, dedicated to the soldier liberating Donbass from the Nazis during World War II.]]After the Russian Civil War broke out, Yuzovka was part of the Donets-Krivoy Rog Soviet Republic from its declaration of independence on 12 February 1918. The Republic was disbanded at the 2nd All-Ukrainian Congress of Soviets on 20 March 1918 when the independence of the Ukrainian Soviet Republic was declared. It failed to achieve recognition, either internationally or by the Russian SFSR, and in accordance with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was abolished.In 1924, under Soviet rule, the city's name was changed to Stalin. In that year, the city's population totaled 63,708, and in the next year, 80,085. In 1929â31 the city's name was changed to Stalinoweblink The history of the city of Donetsk The city did not have a drinking water system until 1931, when a {{convert|55.3|km|1|abbr=on}} system was laid underground. In July 1933, the city became the administrative center of the Donetsian Oblast of the Ukrainian SSR. In 1933, the first {{convert|12|km|0|abbr=on}} sewer system was installed, and next year the first exploitation of gas was conducted within the city. In addition, some sources{{Which|date=March 2012}} state that the city was briefly called Trotskâafter Leon Trotskyâfor a few months in 1923.(File:Stadtplan Stalino LOC 2012593213.jpg|thumb|A German map of the city in 1943, note that all the streets have been given German names.)At the beginning of World War II, the population of Stalino consisted of 507,000, and after the war, only 175,000. The Germaninvasion during World War II almost completely destroyed the city, which was mostly rebuilt on a large scale at the war's end. It was occupied by German and Italian forces as part of the Reichskommissariat Ukraine between 16 October 1941 and 5 September 1943.In 1945, young men and women aged 17 to 35, from the Danube Swabian (Schwowe) communities of Yugoslavia, Hungary and Romania (the Batschka and Banat), were forcibly sent to Russia as Allied "war reparations", being put to work as slave labour to rebuild Stalino and to work in its mines. The conditions were so poor that many died from disease and malnutrition.WEB, Das politische Bewusstsein,weblink 2013-03-26, During Nikita Khrushchev's second wave of destalinization in November 1961, the city was renamed Donetsk, after the Seversky Donets River, a tributary of the Don in order to distance it from the former leader Joseph Stalin.In 1965, the Donetsk Academy of Sciences was established as part of the Academy of Science of the Ukrainian SSR.

Independent Ukraine

After experiencing a tough time in the 1990s, when it was the center of gang wars for control over industrial enterprises, Donetsk modernised quickly, largely under the influence of big companies.In 1994 a referendum took place in the Donetsk Oblast and the Luhansk Oblast, with around 90% supporting the Russian language gaining status of an official language alongside Ukrainian, and for the Russian language to be an official language on a regional level; however, the referendum was annulled by the Kiev government.NEWS, Morin, Yevgenii,weblink ru:ÐÐ¾Ð½Ð±Ð°ÑÑ: Ð·Ð°Ð±ÑÑÑÐ¹ ÑÐµÑÐµÑÐµÐ½Ð´ÑÐ¼-1994, Donbass: the forgotten 1994 referendum, ru, The Kiev Times, 12 May 2014, 14 December 2016, WEB,weblink ru:ÐÐ¸ÐµÐ² ÑÐ¶Ðµ 20 Ð»ÐµÑ Ð¾Ð±Ð¼Ð°Ð½ÑÐ²Ð°ÐµÑ ÐÐ¾Ð½Ð±Ð°ÑÑ: ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð¸ ÐÑÐ³Ð°Ð½ÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð¾Ð±Ð»Ð°ÑÑÐ¸ ÐµÑÐµ Ð² 1994 Ð³Ð¾Ð´Ñ Ð¿ÑÐ¾Ð³Ð¾Ð»Ð¾ÑÐ¾Ð²Ð°Ð»Ð¸ Ð·Ð° ÑÐµÐ´ÐµÑÐ°Ð»Ð¸Ð·Ð°ÑÐ¸Ñ, ÑÑÑÑÐºÐ¸Ð¹ ÑÐ·ÑÐº Ð¸ ÐµÐ²ÑÐ°Ð·Ð¸Ð¹ÑÐºÑÑ Ð¸Ð½ÑÐµÐ³ÑÐ°ÑÐ¸Ñ, Kiev has been cheating Donbass for 20 years: in 1994 the Donetsk and Lugansk regions voted in favour of federalisation, the Russian language, and Eurasian integration, ru, Nakanune.ru, 26 March 2014, 14 December 2016, {{Unreliable source?|reason=This is a Russian blog/forum, and is user generated per . |date=December 2016}}In the 1990s and the 2000s coal mine collapses took place in Donetsk and the region, taking the lives of hundreds; those included the 2008 Ukraine coal mine collapse, the 2007 Zasyadko mine disaster, and the 2015 Zasyadko mine disaster. Ukraine has had a series of mining accidents since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and one reason being given is the linking of miners' pay to production, which serves as an incentive to ignore safety procedures that would slow production.NEWS,weblink Ukraine's mine death toll rises, BBC News, 20 November 2007, 14 December 2016, In a summit in Moscow in 2008, Donetsk was recognised as the best city in the Commonwealth of Independent States for its implemented development strategies;NEWS,weblink ru:ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐº Ð¿ÑÐ¸Ð·Ð½Ð°Ð½ Ð»ÑÑÑÐ¸Ð¼ Ð³Ð¾ÑÐ¾Ð´Ð¾Ð¼ Ð¡ÐÐ, Donetsk named best city of the CIS, ru, Utro.ua, 8 April 2008, 14 December 2016, in 2012 and 2013 Donetsk was recognised as the best place for business in Ukraine.NEWS,weblink ru:ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐº Ð¿ÑÐ¸Ð·Ð½Ð°Ð»Ð¸ Ð»ÑÑÑÐ¸Ð¼ Ð³Ð¾ÑÐ¾Ð´Ð¾Ð¼ Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð²ÐµÐ´ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ Ð±Ð¸Ð·Ð½ÐµÑÐ°, Donetsk recognised as the best city for conducting business, ru, Lb.ua, 27 June 2013, 14 December 2016, NEWS,weblink ru:ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐº Ð²ÑÐ¾ÑÐ¾Ð¹ Ð³Ð¾Ð´ Ð¿Ð¾Ð´ÑÑÐ´ Ð¿ÑÐ¸Ð·Ð½Ð°ÑÑ ÑÐ°Ð¼ÑÐ¼ Ð¿ÑÐ¸Ð²Ð»ÐµÐºÐ°ÑÐµÐ»ÑÐ½ÑÐ¼ Ð² Ð£ÐºÑÐ°Ð¸Ð½Ðµ Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð±Ð¸Ð·Ð½ÐµÑÐ°, Donetsk recognised as the most attractive for business in Ukraine for the second consecutive year, ru, Gazeta.ua, 22 July 2013, 14 December 2016, WEB,weblink ru:ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐº Ð¿ÑÐ¸Ð·Ð½Ð°Ð»Ð¸ ÑÐ°Ð¼ÑÐ¼ Ð¿ÑÐ¸Ð²Ð»ÐµÐºÐ°ÑÐµÐ»ÑÐ½ÑÐ¼ Ð³Ð¾ÑÐ¾Ð´Ð¾Ð¼ Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð±Ð¸Ð·Ð½ÐµÑÐ° - Forbes, Donetsk recognised as the most attractive city for business - Forbes, ru, Epravda.com.ua, 22 July 2013, 14 December 2016, Whilst getting praise for its business potential, Donetsk also received criticism for the strong mafia connection of its business magnates, and for the increasing poverty rate (alongside a growing number of oligarchs).WEB, Natalia, Kommodova,weblink ru:'ÐÐ¾Ð»ÑÑÐ¸Ðµ ÑÐ´Ð²Ð¸Ð³Ð¸' ÐÐ¾Ð½Ð±Ð°ÑÑÐ°, Ð±Ð¾Ð³Ð°ÑÑÐµ Ð»ÐµÑÑÐ¸ÐºÐ¸ Ð¸ Ð±ÐµÐ´Ð½ÑÐµ Ð²ÑÐ½Ð´ÐµÑÐºÐ¸Ð½Ð´Ñ - ÐÐ±Ð·Ð¾Ñ Ð´Ð¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐ¾Ð¹ Ð¿ÑÐµÑÑÑ, 'Great shifts' of Donbass, rich high fliers and poor wunderkind - Overview by the Donetsk Press, ru, Ostro.org, 4 August 2009, 14 December 2016, Some analysts warned of a long-term collapse of the Donetsk economy, and that it could share Detroit's gloomy fate, due to its failure to combat crime and povertyWEB,weblink ru:ÐÐ¾ÑÐµÐ¼Ñ ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐº Ð¶Ð´ÐµÑ ÑÑÐ´ÑÐ±Ð° ÐÐµÑÑÐ¾Ð¹ÑÐ°, Why Donetsk awaits the fate of Detroit, ru, Makeevkainfo.com.ua, 24 June 2014, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140703220200weblink">weblink 3 July 2014, {{Better source|reason=User generated site, with the author being 'a passer by'. Needs a reliable source.|date=December 2016}}

Euromaidan, War in Donbass, and Capital of the Donetsk People's Republic (2014-present)

File:2014-05-11. Ð ÐµÑÐµÑÐµÐ½Ð´ÑÐ¼ Ð² ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐµ 017.jpg|thumb|left|Referendum organized by the rebels. A line to enter a polling place, 11 May 2014]](File:1 Ð¼Ð°ÑÑÐ° 2014 Ð³Ð¾Ð´Ð° Ð² ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐµ. Ð£ Ð¾Ð±Ð»Ð°ÑÑÐ½Ð¾Ð³Ð¾ ÑÐ¾Ð²ÐµÑÐ° Ð¿Ð¾Ð´Ð½Ð¸Ð¼Ð°ÑÑ ÑÐ¾ÑÑÐ¸Ð¹ÑÐºÐ¸Ð¹ ÑÐ»Ð°Ð³.ogv|thumb|left|Russian flag being raised in Donetsk, 1 March 2014)After President Yanukovych abandoned Ukraine for Russia, Russian-backed defenders took over the main government building in Donetsk. The police did not offer resistance.WEB,weblink Ð ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐµ Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐ¾Ð»ÑÐºÐ¾ ÑÐ¾ÑÐµÐ½ ÑÐ°Ð´Ð¸ÐºÐ°Ð»Ð¾Ð² Ñ ÐºÑÐ¸ÐºÐ°Ð¼Ð¸ "Ð Ð¾ÑÑÐ¸Ñ" ÑÑÑÑÐ¼ÑÑÑ ÐÐÐ, Gazeta.ua, 3 March 2014, Later in the week the authorities of Donetsk denounced a referendum on the status of the regionWEB,weblink ÐÐ¾Ð²Ð¾ÑÑÐ¸ ÐÐ¾Ð½Ð±Ð°ÑÑÐ° :: The authorities of Donetsk region don't want a referendum and they opposed 'foreign scenarios' â video report, Novosti.dn.ua, 9 March 2014, 9 August 2014, and the police retook the Donetsk Oblast administrative building.NEWS, Lina, Kushch,weblink Ukrainian flag again flies over Donetsk regional HQ, Reuters, 6 March 2014, no,weblink 7 March 2014, NEWS, Andrew, Roth,weblink Ukrainian Officials in East Act to Blunt Pro-Russian Forces, The New York Times, 7 March 2014, 16 December 2016, subscription, Donetsk became one of the centers of the 2014 pro-Russian conflict in Ukraine.On 7 April 2014, pro-Russian activists seized control of Donetsk's government building and declared the "Donetsk People's Republic",VIDEO, Russian Roulette: The Invasion of Ukraine (Dispatch Twenty Three), Apr 11, 2014, VICE News,weblink asking for Russian intervention.NEWS,weblink Donetsk proclaims independence from Ukraine, The Hindu, 7 April 2014, 7 April 2014, Radyuhin, Vladimir, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140408214831weblink">weblink 8 April 2014, On 11 May 2014, a Donetsk status referendum, 2014 was held in Donetsk in which voters could choose political independence. It was stated by the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic election commission, Roman Lyagin, that almost 90 percent of those who voted in the Donetsk Region endorsed political independence from Kyiv. Ukraine does not recognize the referendum, while the EU and US stated that the polls were illegal.WEB,weblink Ukraine crisis: Eastern rebels claim 'self-rule' poll victory, 12 May 2014, 12 May 2014, BBC News, Heavy shelling by the Ukrainian Army and paramilitary units have caused civilian fatalities in Donetsk."Ukraine crisis: Shells hit Donetsk amid Russia convoy row". BBC News. August 14, 2014." Kyiv's troops surround Separatism|separatist] stronghold Donetsk, civilian casualties high]". Euronews. August 12, 2014."3 days in Donetsk: 70+ civilians killed, over 100 wounded". RT. August 14, 2014. Human Rights Watch has called on both warring factions to cease using BM-21 Grad in populated areas, and has said the use of these weapons systems may be a violation of international humanitarian laws and could constitute war crimes."Ukraine: Unguided Rockets Killing Civilians Stop Use of Grads in Populated Areas". Human Rights Watch. July 24, 2014.The 2015 IIHF World Championship Division I was scheduled for 18 to 24 April 2015 in Donetsk, but Ukraine withdrew as hosts due to the ongoing conflict in the country.WEB, Steven Ellis, Ukraine Withdraws as Hosts of 2015 Division IA World Championships,weblink The Hockey House, 15 August 2014, 23 August 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140819085434weblink">weblink 19 August 2014, yes,

Geography

File:Kalmius 01.jpg|thumb|left|The spoil tips near the Kalmius. In the background is the Chervonohvardiyskyi raion of MakiivkaMakiivkaDonetsk lies in the steppe landscape, surrounded by scattered woodland, hills, spoil tips, rivers and lakes. The northern outskirts are mainly used for agriculture. The Kalmius River links the city with the Sea of Azov, which is {{convert|95|km|0|abbr=on}} to the south, and a popular recreational area for those living in Donetsk. A wide belt of farmlands surrounds the city.The city stretches {{convert|28|km|0|abbr=on}} from north to south and {{convert|55|km|0|abbr=on}} from east to west. There are 2 nearby reservoirs: Nyzhnekalmius (60 ha), and the "Donetsk Sea" (206 ha). 5 rivers flow through the city, including the Kalmius, Asmolivka (13 km), Cherepashkyna (23 km), Skomoroshka and Bakhmutka. The city also contains a total of 125 spoil tips.WEB, Liakh, Liudmila, ru:ÐÑÐ»Ð¾ Ð»Ð¸ Ð³ÐµÑÑÐ¾ Ð² ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐµ?, Russian, Was there a ghetto in Donetsk?, gorod.donbass.com,weblink 7 May 2007, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070903070923weblink">weblink 3 September 2007,

}}{{legend>#9CFF34|Proletarian RaionProletarian Raion(File:Donetsk downtown map.png|right|thumb|City centre)Donetsk is the Capital of the Donetsk People's Republic.Since 7 April 2014 Donetsk is de facto governed by the Donetsk People's Republic, even though it has only been recognized by the Republic of South Ossetia as of October 2014.The territory of Donetsk is divided into 9 administrative raions (districts), whose local government is administered by raion councils, which are subordinate to the Donetsk City Council.{| style="background:none;" cellspacing="2px"|{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%"

Demographics

First All Union Census of the Soviet Union, conducted on 17 December 1926.>106000

466300

699200

879000

1020800

1109100

State Statistics Committee of Ukraine, conducted on 1 January 1998.>1065400

State Statistics Committee of Ukraine, conducted on 1 January 2006.>993500

975959

933795}}File:2013. ÐÐµÐ½Ñ ÐÐ¾Ð±ÐµÐ´Ñ Ð² ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐµ 192.jpg|thumb|Victory Day on May 9, 2013]]Donetsk had a population of over 985,000 inhabitants in 2009WEB, uk:Ð§Ð¸ÑÐµÐ»ÑÐ½ÑÑÑÑ Ð½Ð°ÑÐµÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð½Ñ Ð½Ð° 1 Ð±ÐµÑÐµÐ·Ð½Ñ 2009 ÑÐ¾ÐºÑ ÑÐ° ÑÐµÑÐµÐ´Ð½Ñ Ð·Ð° ÑÑÑÐµÐ½Ñ-Ð»ÑÑÐ¸Ð¹ 2009 ÑÐ¾ÐºÑ, uk, Population on 1 March 2009 and the average for JanuaryâFebruary of 2009, Department of Statistics of the Donetsk Region,weblink yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090422032814weblink">weblink 22 April 2009, and over 1,566,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area in 2004. It was the fifth-largest city in Ukraine.According to the 2001 census, the Donetsk Oblast is inhabited by members of more than 130 ethnic groups.2001 Ukrainian Census, Ð§Ð¸ÑÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð½Ð¾ÑÑÑ Ð¸ ÑÐ¾ÑÑÐ°Ð² Ð½Ð°ÑÐµÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐ¾Ð¹ Ð¾Ð±Ð»Ð°ÑÑÐ¸ Ð¿Ð¾ Ð¸ÑÐ¾Ð³Ð°Ð¼ ÐÑÐµÑÐºÑÐ°Ð¸Ð½ÑÐºÐ¾Ð¹ Ð¿ÐµÑÐµÐ¿Ð¸ÑÐ¸ Ð½Ð°ÑÐµÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ 2001 Ð³Ð¾Ð´Ð° [The size and composition of the population on the basis of the Donetsk region in the 2001 Census]. The Ukrainian ethnicity is 56.9% of the population (2,744,100 people); the Russian ethnicity is 38.2% of the population (1,844,400 people). The native language of 74.9% of the population of the Donetsk region is Russian, compared with 24.1% Ukrainian. 58.7% of people of Ukrainian ethnicity considered Russian to be their native language.2001 Ukrainian Census, Ð§Ð¸ÑÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð½Ð¾ÑÑÑ Ð¸ ÑÐ¾ÑÑÐ°Ð² Ð½Ð°ÑÐµÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐ¾Ð¹ Ð¾Ð±Ð»Ð°ÑÑÐ¸ Ð¿Ð¾ Ð¸ÑÐ¾Ð³Ð°Ð¼ ÐÑÐµÑÐºÑÐ°Ð¸Ð½ÑÐºÐ¾Ð¹ Ð¿ÐµÑÐµÐ¿Ð¸ÑÐ¸ Ð½Ð°ÑÐµÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ 2001 Ð³Ð¾Ð´Ð°, Ð¯Ð·ÑÐºÐ¾Ð²Ð¾Ð¹ ÑÐ¾ÑÑÐ°Ð² Ð½Ð°ÑÐµÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐ¾Ð¹ Ð¾Ð±Ð»Ð°ÑÑÐ¸, Ð¿Ð¾ Ð´Ð°Ð½Ð½ÑÐ¼ ÐÑÐµÑÐºÑÐ°Ð¸Ð½ÑÐºÐ¾Ð¹ Ð¿ÐµÑÐµÐ¿Ð¸ÑÐ¸ Ð½Ð°ÑÐµÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ [The size and composition of the population on the basis of the Donetsk region in the 2001 Census, Linguistic composition of the population of the Donetsk region, according to the Census] Out of 4.5 million residents of the Donetsk region, 550 are Russian citizens.Financial Times, Donetsk governor battles to restore order, by John Reed, 26/27 April 2014, p5.In 1989 there were no Ukrainian language schools in Donetsk.The structure of the Donetsk City Municipality by ethnicity is as follows:WEB,weblink uk:ÐÐµÑÐµÐ¿Ð¸Ñ Ð½Ð°ÑÐµÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð½Ñ: ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÑÐºÐ° Ð¾Ð±Ð»Ð°ÑÑÑ: ÐÐ°ÑÑÐ¾Ð½Ð°Ð»ÑÐ½Ð¸Ð¹ ÑÐºÐ»Ð°Ð´ ÑÐ° ÑÑÐ´Ð½Ð° Ð¼Ð¾Ð²Ð° Ð½Ð°ÑÐµÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð½Ñ ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÑÐºÐ¾Ñ Ð¾Ð±Ð»Ð°ÑÑÑ. Ð Ð¾Ð·Ð¿Ð¾Ð´ÑÐ» Ð¿Ð¾ÑÑÑÐ¹Ð½Ð¾Ð³Ð¾ Ð½Ð°ÑÐµÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð½Ñ Ð·Ð° Ð½Ð°Ð¹Ð±ÑÐ»ÑÑ ÑÐ¸ÑÐ»ÐµÐ½Ð½Ð¸Ð¼Ð¸ Ð½Ð°ÑÑÐ¾Ð½Ð°Ð»ÑÐ½Ð¾ÑÑÑÐ¼Ð¸ ÑÐ° ÑÑÐ´Ð½Ð¾Ñ Ð¼Ð¾Ð²Ð¾Ñ Ð¿Ð¾ Ð¼ÑÑÑÐºÑÐ°Ð´Ð°Ñ ÑÐ° ÑÐ°Ð¹Ð¾Ð½Ð°Ñ , Census: Donetsk region: Ethnic composition and native language of the population of the Donetsk region. Distribution of the permanent population by the most numerous nationalities and native language by councils and districts, uk, Department of Statistics of the Donetsk Region, 2004, 5 May 2007, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070928085127weblink">weblink 28 September 2007, dmy, {{div col}}

In 1991 one-third of the population identified as Russian, one-third as Ukrainian while the majority of the rest declared themselves Slavs.BOOK, Steele, Jonathan, Jonathan Steele, 1994, Eternal Russia: Yeltsin, Gorbachev, and the Mirage of Democracy, Harvard University Press, 978-0-674-26837-1, 217â18,weblink 13 December 2016, Smaller minorities include in particular ethnic groups from the South Caucasus and northeast Anatolia region, including Armenians, Georgians, and Pontic Greeks (including those defined as Caucasus Greeks).Native language of the population of the city of Donetsk as of the Ukrainian Census of 2001:WEB, About number and composition population of Donets'k Region by data, All-Ukrainian census of the population 2001, State Statistical Service of Ukraine,weblink 14 December 2016,

Economy

{{update|section|date=June 2012}}(File:Viewfromtheroof.jpg|thumb|Congress Hall)Donetsk and the surrounding territories are heavily urbanised and agglomerated into conurbation. The workforce is heavily involved with heavy industry, especially coal mining. The city is an important center of heavy industry and coal mines in the Donets Basin (Donbass). Directly under the city lie coal mines, which have recently seen an increase in mining accidents, the most recent accident being at the Zasyadko mine, which killed over 100 workers.NEWS, 30 November 2007, Another victim of Ukraine mine blast dies in hospital, RIA Novosti,weblink 1 December 2007, unfit,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20071210212641weblink">weblink 10 December 2007, Donetsk's economy consists of about 200 industrial organizations that have a total production output of more than 120 billion rubles per year and more than 20,000 medium-small sized organizations.WEB, ?, lukyanchenko.dn.ua,weblink {{dead link|date=December 2016}}{{cbignore}} The city's coal mining industry comprises 17 coal mines and two concentrating mills; the metallurgy industry comprises 5 large metallurgical plants located throughout the city; the engineering market comprises 67 organizations, and the food industry â 32 organizations.File:Zasyadko Coal Mine1.JPG|thumb|Donetsk Zasyadko coal mineZasyadko coal mineAfter the fall of the Soviet Union, Donetsk and other neighboring cities of the Donbass suffered heavily, as many factories were closed down and many inhabitants lost their jobs.BOOK, Subtelny, Orest, Orest Subtelny, 2000, Ukraine: A History, University of Toronto Press, 0-8020-8390-0, 613, registration,weblink About {{convert|412000|m2|0|abbr=out}} of living space, {{convert|7.9|km|1|abbr=on}} of gas networks, and {{convert|15.1|km|1|abbr=on}} of water supply networks were constructed in the city during 1998â2001.The city also houses the "Donetsk" special economic zone.WEB,weblink uk:ÐÑÐ¾ ÑÐ¿ÐµÑÑÐ°Ð»ÑÐ½Ñ ÐµÐºÐ¾Ð½Ð¾Ð¼ÑÑÐ½Ñ Ð·Ð¾Ð½Ð¸ ÑÐ° ÑÐ¿ÐµÑÑÐ°Ð»ÑÐ½Ð¸Ð¹ ÑÐµÐ¶Ð¸Ð¼ ÑÐ½Ð²ÐµÑÑÐ¸ÑÑÐ¹Ð½Ð¾Ñ Ð´ÑÑÐ»ÑÐ½Ð¾ÑÑÑ Ð² ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÑÐºÑÐ¹ Ð¾Ð±Ð»Ð°ÑÑÑ, On Special Economic Zones and Special Mode of Investment in the Donetsk oblast, uk, Order of Verhovna Rada, 24 December 1998, 16 December 2016, Donetsk currently has nine sister cities.WEB,weblink ru:ÐÐ¾ÑÐ¾Ð´Ð° Ð¿Ð¾Ð±ÑÐ°ÑÐ¸Ð¼Ñ ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÐºÐ°, Sister cities of Donetsk, ru, Official site of the Head of Donetsk City, 31 August 2004, 5 May 2007, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070630191841weblink">weblink 30 June 2007, dmy, The German city of Magdeburg had economic partnerships with Donetsk during 1962â1996.WEB, Wolfgang, Stegers,weblink Meine Reise nach Donetsk I: Die unbekannte ukrainische Metropole, My trip to Donetsk I: The unknown Ukrainian metropolis, de, wize.life, 5 November 2013, 16 December 2016, BOOK,weblink The Daily Review, Volume 13, Michigan 1967, 4 October 2014, 1967, In 2012, Donetsk was rated the best city for business in Ukraine by Forbes. Donetsk topped the rating in five indicators: human capital, the purchasing power of citizens, investment situation, economic stability, as well as infrastructure and comfort.WEB,weblink Forbes admitted Donetsk best city for business in Ukraine, Yellowpage.in.ua, 1 June 2012, 26 March 2013, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150415144059weblink">weblink 15 April 2015, The shopping areas in the city include the enclosed shopping mall Donetsk City.

Culture

Main sights

First Line Avenue (Artema Street)

(File:Ð¢ÐµÐ°ÑÑÐ°Ð»ÑÐ½Ð°Ñ Ð¿Ð»Ð¾ÑÐ°Ð´Ñ 017.JPG|thumb|Donetsk Shevchenko Cinema on Artema Street)First Line Avenue, also known as Artema Street, is considered to be the main part of Donetsk. It generally functions as the foremost place to start for any tourist trip around the city. The street hosts a mix of new and old architecture together with small parks, stylish hotels, shopping centres and restaurants. Noteworthy sites include Lenin Square, the Opera & Ballet Theatre, Monument to Coalminers and Donetsk Drama Theatre.(File:Panoramio - V&A Dudush - Str.Artema.jpg|thumb|Panorama of Artema Street)

Statue of Artem (Fyodor Sergeyev)

This imposing six-metre statue on Artema Street is a tribute to one of the most celebrated Soviet politicians. After his death in the Donets Basin in 1921, Joseph Stalin adopted his son.

Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theatre

Built in 1936, the Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, is a gem of a theatre with an elegant exterior and world-class performances inside. Donetsk is the home to the Donetsk Ballet company since 1946.(File:Donezk Zentrum Oper.JPG|thumb|Donetsk Opera Theatre, 2002)

Donbass Palace

This 5-star hotel in the center of Donetsk is the only ex-Ukrainian hotel to join The Leading Hotels of The World and was Ukraine's leading business hotel according to the World Travel Awards Association. It was built in 1938 upon the project of Shuvalova and Rechanikov. During the Nazi occupation of Donetsk, the Gestapo headquartered in the former hotel; the building was partially destroyed during the war. The hotel was opened after the reconstruction in 2004.(File:Donetsk donbass palace 02.jpg|thumb|left|Donbass Palace in 2008)

Pushkin Boulevard

(File:Pedestrianstreet.jpg|thumb|left|Pushkin Boulevard at night)A green walkway that takes walkers away from Donetsk city life for a {{convert|2|km|2|abbr=on}} stroll. Here there are fountains, al fresco cafes and a number of statues such as the monument to Taras Shevchenko.Donetsk is home to the world's perhaps most famous plant forged out of steel,{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} the intricate Mertsalov Palm, located on Pushkin Boulevard. Originally created for an exhibition in 1896 by Aleksei Mertsalov, a local blacksmith, out of a single rail, it represented the skills and power of the heavy industry in Czarist Russia.

Monument to John Hughes

This 2001 statue located in front of Donetsk National Technical University honours the hard work of Welsh city founder John James Hughes. He was responsible for the city's Yuzovka Steel Plant that gave Donetsk its industrial history.

Forged Figures Park

(File:Donetsk-09.JPG|thumb|left|Rose â the symbol of Donetsk City, Forged Figures Park)Forged Figures Park was opened in 2001 and is one-in-a-kind object. International Smithcraft Festival takes place in the park every year. The most impressive masterworks remain in the city as a gift expanding the number of park's "residents"

Aquapark

Donetsk Aquapark "Royal Marine" was opened in Scherbakova Park in early winter 2012 and is one of the top aquaparks in Europe. The free-standing dome, made with OpenAire's exclusive, maintenance-free aluminium truss structure, will be {{convert|26|m}} high with a diameter of {{convert|85|m}}, and feature a unique retractable design that slides open in a smooth rotating motion, opening up to 50% of the structure to sunlight and fresh air. The {{convert|61,000|ft2|sigfig=2|adj=on|order=flip}} Aquatoria, slated to become the largest retractable aluminium-domed indoor waterpark in the world, is being built by Canadian company OpenAire, Inc., a premier designer, manufacturer and installer of retractable roof enclosures and operable skylights.WEB,weblink World's largest retractable aluminum-domed waterpark under work in Ukraine, Themeparkpost.com, 14 September 2011, 26 March 2013, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20111010052333weblink">weblink 10 October 2011,

Architecture

(File:Donetsk britania 02.jpg|thumb|left|The Velikobritaniya () hotel is one of the oldest buildings in Donetsk, constructed in 1883.)Donetsk, at the time Yuzovka, was divided into two parts: north and south. In the southern part were the city's factories, railway stations, telegraph buildings, hospitals and schools. Not far from the factories was the English colony where the engineers and the management lived. After the construction of the residence of John Hughes and the various complexes for the foreign workers, the city's southern portion was constructed mainly in the English style.These buildings used rectangular and triangular shaped faÃ§ades, green rooftops, large windows, which occupied a large portion of the building, and balconies. In this part of the town, the streets were large and had pavements. A major influence on the formation of architecture in Donetsk was the official architect of a Novorossiya company â Moldingauyer. Preserved buildings of the southern part of Yuzovka consisted of the residences of John Hughes (1891, partially preserved), Bolfur (1889) and Bosse.In the northern part of Yuzovka, Novyi Svet, lived traders, craftsmen and bureaucrats. Here were located the market hall, the police headquarters and the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Jesus. The central street of Novyi Svet and the neighbouring streets were mainly edged by one- or two-story residential buildings, as well as markets, restaurants, hotels, offices and banks. A famous preserved building in the northern part of Yuzovka was the Hotel Great Britain.The first general plan of Stalino was made in 1932 in Odessa by the architect P. Golovchenko. In 1937, the project was partly reworked. These projects were the first in the city's construction bureau's history.A large portion of the city's buildings from the second half of the 20th century were designed by the architect Pavel Vigdergauz, which was given the Government award of the USSR for architecture in the city of Donetsk in 1978.

Religion

(File:DonetskCathedral.jpg|thumb|The reconstructed Cathedral of Transfiguration of Jesus in Donetsk.)Donetsk's residents belong to religious traditions including the Eastern Orthodox ChurchWEB,weblink ru:ÐÐ¾Ð½Ð±Ð°ÑÑ ÐÑÐ°Ð²Ð¾ÑÐ»Ð°Ð²Ð½ÑÐ¹, Orthodox Donbass, ru, ortodox.donbass.com, 12 May 2007, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070629040340weblink">weblink 29 June 2007, Eastern Catholic Churches, Protestantism, and the Roman Catholic Church, as well as Islam and Judaism.WEB,weblink uk:Ð¡Ð¾ÑÑÐ¾Ð»Ð¾Ð³ÑÑÐ½Ðµ Ð¾Ð¿Ð¸ÑÑÐ²Ð°Ð½Ð½Ñ - Ð ÐµÐ»ÑÐ³ÑÑ: ÐÑÑÑÑÑÐ¸Ð¼ ÑÐºÐ¾Ñ ÑÐµÑÐºÐ²Ð¸, ÐºÐ¾Ð½ÑÐµÑÑÑ ÐÐ¸ ÑÐµÐ±Ðµ Ð²Ð²Ð°Ð¶Ð°ÑÑÐµ?, Sociological survey - Religion: Believers, which churches do you consider yourself to adherents of?, uk, Razumkov Centre, 2006, 5 September 2017, Archived copy,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20181108233934weblink">weblink 8 November 2018, yes, dmy-all, BOOK, Yarosh, Oleg, Brylov, Denys, Katarzyna GÃ³rak-Sosnowka, Muslims in Poland and Eastern Europe: Widening the European Discourse on Islam,weblink 27 May 2016, 2011, Katarzyna GÃ³rak-Sosnowska, 978-83-903229-5-7, 254, Muslim communities and Islamic network institutions in Ukraine: contesting authorities in shaping Islamic localities, The religious body with the most members is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate.In 2014, a fake leaflet "signed by Chairman of Donetsk's temporary government Denis Pushilin" was distributed to Jews on the festival of Passover. The leaflet informed Donetsk's Jewish citizen to register themselves, their property, and their family to the pro-Russian authorities. The leaflet claimed that failure to comply with its demands would result in the revocation of citizenship and confiscation of property. The leaflet prompted confusion and fear among Donetsk's Jewish population, who saw echoes of the Holocaust in the leaflet.Margalit, Michal. "Donetsk leaflet: Jews must register or face deportation."Ynetnews. 16 April 2014.

Viktor Yanukovych, former president of Ukraine; deposed due to the Euromaidan Revolts of 2013â2014.WEB,weblink Ukraine: President Viktor Yanukovych says he was forced to flee due to threats; slams 'pro-fascist' forces â ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), Abc.net.au, 2014-08-09,

Museums

(File:2012. ÐÑÐµÐ·ÐµÐ½ÑÐ°ÑÐ¸Ñ ÐºÐ°ÑÐ°Ð»Ð¾Ð³Ð° 100 Ð¸ÐºÐ¾Ð½ 007.jpg|thumb|Donetsk Regional Museum of Art)Donetsk is home to about 140 museums. Among them, two large regional museums â Donetsk Region History Museum and Donetsk Regional Art Museum.Donetsk Region History Museum reveals the city's true identity and covers to the entire local community, diverse as it is. Set up in 1924, it offers an extensive expo with 120,000 exhibits: from archeological findings dating back to pre-historic times to the founding of the city by John Hughes, development of industry and coal mining, World War II and the Soviet times. On 21 August 2014, the mayor of Donetsk reported that the roof and walls of the Donetsk Regional History Museum had been destroyed by shellfire early that morning.WEB, Sophia, Kishkovsky,weblink Eastern Ukraine's museums told to hide their collections, theartnewspaper.com, 14 August 2014, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140816225843weblink">weblink 16 August 2014, FC Shaktar Museum was opened in 2010. This museum was the first Ukrainian museum to be nominated for a European Museum of the Year AwardWEB,weblink FC Shakhtar Museum nominated for an 'Oscar', Donbass-arena.com, 19 May 2012, 2013-03-26,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130502022533weblink">weblink 2 May 2013, yes, dmy-all,

Transport

Local transport

(File:Trolleybus Donezk.jpg|thumb|left|A Donetsk trolley bus with the Cathedral of Transfiguration of Jesus in the background.)(File:TramLM2008.jpg|thumb|left|Tram LM-2008)The main forms of transport within Donetsk are: trams, electric trolley buses, buses and marshrutkas (private minibuses). The city's public transport system is controlled by the united Dongorpastransmunicipal company. The city has 12 tram lines (~130 km), 17 trolley bus lines (~188 km), and about 115 bus lines.WEB,weblink ru:Ð¢ÑÐ°Ð½ÑÐ¿Ð¾ÑÑ, Transport, Partner-Portal, 11 May 2007, ru, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070510133417weblink">weblink 10 May 2007, Both the tram and trolley bus systems in the city are served by 2 depots each. Another method of transport within the city is taxicab service, of which there are 32 in Donetsk.The city also contains autostations located within the city and its suburbs: autostation Yuzhny (South), which serves mainly transport lines to the south, hence its name; autostation Tsentr (Centre), which serves transport in the direction of Marinka and Vuhledar as well as intercity transport; the autostation Krytyi rynok (Indoor market), which serves mainly transport in the north and east directions; and the autostation Putilovsky, which serves mainly the north and northwest transport directions.The construction of the metro system in the city, begun in 1992, was recently abandoned due to the lack of funding. No lines or stations have been finished.NEWS,weblink uk:Ð£ ÐÐ¾Ð½ÐµÑÑÐºÑ Ð¿ÑÐ¸Ð¿Ð¸Ð½ÑÑÑÑ Ð·Ð²Ð¾Ð´Ð¸ÑÐ¸ Ð¼ÐµÑÑÐ¾, Metro construction in Donetsk is stopping, uk, 1tv.com.ua, 18 January 2012, unfit,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130502190006weblink">weblink 2 May 2013,

Railways

File:Donezk Bahnhof 2.JPG|thumb|Donetsk's main railway station, located in the north of the city.]]Donetsk's main railway station, which serves about 7 million passengers annually, is located in the northern part of the city. There is a museum near the main station, dealing with the history of the region's railways. Other railway stations are: Rutchenkovo, located in the Kyivskyi Raion; Mandrykino (Petrovskyi Raion), and Mushketovo (Budionivskyi Raion). Some passenger trains avoid Donetsk station and serve the Yasynuvata station, located outside the city limits. Although not used for regular transport, the city also has a children's railway. (As of September 2009) a new railway terminal facility that will comply with UEFA requirements (since Donetsk is one of the host city's for UEFA EURO 2012) is planned.NEWS,weblink Construction of railway terminal in Donetsk for UEFA EURO 2012 worth UAH 414mln, Ukrinform, 23 September 2009, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110716162528weblink">weblink 16 July 2011, The Donetsk Oblast was an important transport hub in Ukraine, so was its centre Donetsk. The Donetsk Railways, based in Donetsk, is the largest railway division in the Republic. It serves the farming and industrial businesses of the area, and the populations of the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics and parts of the Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia and Kharkiv oblasts.

Air travel

In addition to public and rail transport, Donetsk has an international airport.WEB,weblink Service Center, International Airport 'Donetsk', 6 March 2007, VIP-Terminal, yes,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20060615231005weblink">weblink 15 June 2006, It was constructed during the early 1940s and early 1950s. It was rebuilt in 1973 and again from 2011 to 2012. Because of fighting the airport has been closed as of 26 May 2014 and the airport has since then largely been destroyed.WEB, Loiko, Sergei L.,weblink Ukraine fighters, surrounded at wrecked airport, refuse to give up, Los Angeles Times, Donetsk, 28 October 2014, unfit,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20141028102545weblink">weblink 28 October 2014, The airspace above Donetsk has also been closed since the MH17 disaster.

Education

(File:Donetsk df 2006 01.jpg|thumb|Physics Day in Donetsk National University, 2006)Donetsk has several universities, which include five state universities, 11 institutes, three academies, 14 technicums, five private universities, and six colleges.The most important and prominent educational institutions include Donetsk National Technical University, founded in 1921WEB,weblink About DonNTU, Donetsk National Technical University (DonNTU), 2016, 16 December 2016, ("Donetsk Polytechnical Institute" in 1960â1993), as well as the Donetsk National UniversityWEB,weblink History of the University, Donetsk National University, 2015, 16 December 2016, which was founded in 1937. The National Technical University held close contacts with the University in Magdeburg. Since 1970, more than 100 students from Germany (East Germany) have completed their higher education at either one of the two main universities in Donetsk. Donetsk is also the home of the Donetsk National Medical University, which was founded in 1930 and became one of the largest medical universities in the Soviet Union. There are also several scientific research institutes and an Islamic University within Donetsk.Donetsk is also the home of the Prokofiev Donetsk State Music Academy, a music conservatory founded in 1960.

Twinnings

Donetsk participates in international town twinning schemes to foster good international relations. Partners include:{| class="wikitable"